hamburg tourist pass

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Hamburg City Pass

Discover Hamburg the smart way

Moin! as the people from northern Germany say. Welcome to the north of Germany. The people of Hamburg immodestly call their city "the most beautiful city in the world". And there really is a lot to see. Between the Alster and the Elbe and all around, you can discover the different facets of Hamburg. From classy to indie, from past to present, from hard work to hard partying. Explore the whole city with the Hamburg City Pass! With just one ticket, you have access to the most famous sights such as the Michel, many museums (e.g. the International Maritime Museum in the Speicherstadt or the museum ship Rickmer Rickmers) and leisure activities such as the Panoptikum and black light minigolf. Also included: a city tour with the hop-on hop-off bus, Alster and Elbe boat tours and exclusive city tours. With the Hamburg City Pass, you not only save money, but also time, as your admission ticket for all the sights is already in your pocket when you arrive. The City Pass is available for 1 to 7 days and is therefore as flexible as you are. Explore the whole city at your own pace and make your own judgement: The most beautiful city in the world?

Our included Top Attractions

Free Sightseeing Bus Tour

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Free Harbor Boat Tour

"Landmark Tour" from St. Michaelis church to the Elbe Philharmonic

Optional: Free Public Transport

MK&G Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe

St. Michaelis – the Michel

Activities & Leisure Attractions

Hop On Hop Off & Boat Experiences

Museums & Galleries

Landmarks & Monuments

Public Transport

Discount Partner

Guided Tours

Don’t miss a thing with the Hamburg City Pass

Explore the whole city with a single ticket

City tour with the hop-on hop-off bus

Original harbour tour with the launch, trip on the historic alster steamer, a themed guided city tour of your choice: st pauli neighbourhood tour or landmark tour, the michel: st michael’s church with viewing platform, international maritime museum: a museum for shipping on 9 decks, hamburger kunsthalle: one of the most important german art museums with works ranging from the middle ages to modern art, panoptikum: one of the oldest wax museums in the world, ballinstadt emigration museum: for many emigrants, hamburg really was "the gateway to the world", experience cities the smart way.

Everything you need

Save time & energy

Your trip your choice

Benefits of the Hamburg City Pass

In some cities, you visit a few sights and landmarks. In others, you visit the whole city. There’s a lot to see in Hamburg, but here it’s about the whole package. That’s why our City Pass gives you the opportunity to really explore the city from all perspectives. And then you can go into more detail and see the attractions that interest you the most. Whether it’s modern art or history, maritime, spiritual or completely mundane – it’s all included in your Hamburg City Pass.

Experience all facets of the city

With the Hamburg City Pass, you have a colourful mix of options at your fingertips: from city tours and museums to black light mini golf, there is something for every taste (and every weather).

Save a lot of money and time

Benefit from our favourable purchase prices and save money with the Hamburg City Pass compared to the regular admission price at the ticket office. With your Hamburg City Pass, you already have admission to the most famous Hamburg sights in your pocket before you arrive. Decide flexibly what you want to see during your holiday in Hamburg.

Optional local transport ticket

Your ticket gives you free travel on buses, underground and suburban trains and harbour ferries. (Honestly! Harbour ferries are part of local public transport! Great tip for even more sightseeing on the water). With your HVV ticket, you can travel anywhere in the city – even the airport is included!

Buy now and receive it immediately by e-mail

You will receive the Hamburg City Pass as a pdf file by e-mail immediately after receipt of payment. So you have all the necessary documents together before you leave. You can either print out the pass or use it on your mobile device.

Everything you need to know

When you book your Hamburg City Pass, we will send you all the important information by e-mail. In the ticket attachment you will find all the details about the attractions (including information on opening times and how to get there).

Additional discounts

Receive discounts and reductions on catering and shopping offers and many other local activities.

No additional fees

Advance booking and service fees included: All taxes and booking and service fees are already included in the price. You don’t have to worry about any hidden costs.

Period of validity: As long as you need it

Discover Hamburg for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 days. The flexibility to pay only for what you really need.

How the Hamburg City Pass works:

Book: Choose "with" or "without local transport", the number of days and the people.

Receive: You will receive your Hamburg City Pass by e-mail.

Get started: Print out the pass if you have chosen the Hamburg City Pass with local transport. The code on your smartphone is sufficient for free admission to the attractions. Let’s go!

About Hamburg

The Hamburg City Pass is your practical basis for a Hamburg sightseeing tour. With the Hamburg City Pass, you have your admission ticket for many sights, city tours and attractions in your pocket as soon as you arrive. 

Sights and activities: Hamburg’s fame and reputation – actually: Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg – are rooted in the city’s history. The harbour on the Elbe with protected access to the North Sea made the city the "Gateway to the World". The merchants of the Hanseatic League made Hamburg a trading city and prosperous. The abundance of water – the Elbe with its harbour basins, the Alster, dammed up to form a lake in the middle of the city, the many canals that criss-cross the city and whose bridges gave rise to the nickname "Venice of the North" – is still one of the city’s special features. It is not only the cityscape that is characterised by this, many of the sights also revolve around the location on the water and everything that went with it. Explore merchant life and shipping history in the interesting Museum of Hamburg History, the Speicherstadtmuseum, the International Maritime Museum and on the museum ship Rickmer Rickmers or the Cap San Diego in Hamburg harbour – right by the Landungsbrücken. Visit the Elbphilharmonie, built on the foundations of an old warehouse building, on a guided landmark tour and organise a ticket at the visitor centre, which will take you directly to the Elbphilharmonie Plaza, where a fantastic view awaits you. Take a city tour with the hop-on hop-off bus in the red double-decker and get an overview of the city. Marvel at and discover the lifelike celebrities in the Panoptikum wax museum right on the famous Reeperbahn. The Hamburg City Pass also gives you free entry to historical museums such as the Museum der Arbeit, the internationally recognised "Museum am Rothenbaum: Kulturen und Künste der Welt" on Rothenbaumchaussee, the Altonaer Museum art and culture museum and the Jenisch Haus in a villa in Elbpark. Also worth a visit are the Hamburger Kunsthalle or the Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, known as one of the most important museums of design in Europe. Climb the tower of St Michael’s Church, known as the Michel, the city’s landmark and one of Hamburg’s most popular sights. You can climb to the viewing platform of the Michel via a staircase or a lift. Enjoy the view over the harbour, the old town, the Reeperbahn ("the neighbourhood") and the Alster from a height of 106 metres. Let a guide take you on a two-hour Reeperbahn tour of the neighbourhood and learn more about everyday life in Hamburg’s most notorious district, St. Pauli. Hear stories from the red-light district and enjoy a free drink from a loft with a view of the Reeperbahn. 

Climate and travelling time: When it comes to the best time to visit, the weather is usually the main consideration. The chance of good weather is greatest between May and September. But Hamburg is worth a visit in any weather and at any time of year – it just depends on the right equipment. It’s best to bring an umbrella – and sun cream in summer. 

Population: With around 1.9 million inhabitants, Hamburg is the second largest city in Germany. 

Public transport: Hop on and off you go: Travel as much as you like with your Hamburg City Pass with local transport in the AB area, including the airport, on all S-Bahn trains, underground trains, buses and the HVV harbour ferries. 

Use and validity

Validity of Hamburg City Pass with local transport: The pass with local transport is valid from the day you specify as the first day of use when booking, for 1-7 consecutive calendar days. Each attraction can be visited or used once free of charge. The Hamburg City Pass with local transport is personal, i.e. the ticket is only valid for the person whose name is stated or only in the presence of this person. Please carry a valid official photo ID with you for identification purposes (e.g. identity card, passport, driving licence). To use local public transport, please print out the pass and show it at a ticket inspection. If you book the Hamburg City Pass with local transport for 2 or more people, the following combinations apply to your local transport ticket: Combinations of travellers: A group ticket for 5 people is issued for 2-5 people of any age. For travel groups, e.g. with 6, 11 or 16 travellers, you will receive 1, 2 or 3 group tickets, which can be used for up to 5 people of any age, as well as an additional single ticket. Personalisation of the public transport ticket: in the last step of your booking, we therefore ask you to enter the names of the passengers to whom the public transport ticket is to be issued. The ticket is only valid in the presence of these person(s). If you would prefer all travellers to receive a separate ticket for local public transport, please order the Hamburg City Pass in separate bookings.*

Validity of the Hamburg City Pass: The Hamburg City Pass (without local transport) is valid for the specified number of days. The days may not be interrupted and the Hamburg City Pass must be used for the first time within 12 months from the date of purchase. The Hamburg City Pass is activated with the first scan / visit to an attraction. *Important: If you have not received an email from Turbopass, please check the spam or junk folder in your email inbox. If the message has been categorised as spam/junk mail, there should be one of the following options: ‘No spam’, ‘No junk’ or ‘Add sender to white list’. This will help you to receive future emails from Turbopass. If you still cannot find an email, please contact our customer service. Note on group discount : Note on the group discount: If you are travelling with at least 7 people, you can easily click on the 5% discount. Your final price will be reduced accordingly in your shopping basket. Note on choose-and-select attractions: The Hamburg City Pass includes the landmark tour OR a guided tour of the Reeperbahn. Local transport: With the Hamburg City Pass with local transport, you have free travel from the specified day of validity. With the Hamburg City Pass, you can travel free of charge on public transport operated by the Hamburg Transport Association (HVV) throughout the city of Hamburg. The ticket is valid for buses, S-Bahn and U-Bahn trains and harbour ferries. You can also find out about the area of validity of the HVV and the AB area included in the Hamburg City Pass with local transport on the website www.hvv.de. The area is represented by the grey circle and includes the city area and parts of the surrounding area. All stations within the circle (tariff rings A and B) can be travelled to free of charge with the Hamburg City Pass. All attractions included in the Hamburg City Pass as well as the airport are located in this area. You can use all means of transport until closing time on the following day (6 a.m.). The ticket is already in your pocket when you arrive and you can start travelling around Hamburg immediately.  Opening hours and reservations : As a metropolis, Hamburg offers many festivities, events and functions. Please note short-term closing times and any conditions of use that apply to individual attractions. Some museums are closed on Mondays. Most attractions are also closed on 24 December (Christmas Eve). Please check the attraction's website in advance if necessary. Please note that reservations are required for some attractions and tours. The contact details can be found in the information on your pass. Groups of 8 people or more should book in advance if they are going to the attractions as a closed group to ensure that everything runs smoothly for both your group and other guests. You can also find more information about the City Pass under "FAQs". Points of sale in Hamburg: We recommend buying the Hamburg City Pass online here on the official website. Then you have the pass with you immediately and always get the best price. You can also get the Hamburg City Pass in Hamburg here: At the airport: Hamburg Welcome Centre (Monday - Tuesday 09:00-16:00, Wednesday - Friday 08:00-16:00, Saturday and Sunday closed). The Hamburg Welcome Centre will be closed from 24.12. - 26.12. and on 01.01. At Hamburg harbour: Barkassen-Meyer, Landungsbrücken Brücke 6 (daily from 09:00-16:00)  We hope you enjoy your visit to Hamburg!

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In and around hamburg, hamburg card, the best way to see hamburg at its best.

The Hamburg CARD gives you free travel on hvv services and attractive discounts. This is the cheap, convenient and flexible way to explore Hamburg - alone or as a group.

A Single Ticket is valid for 1 adult and up to 3 children (aged 6-14), a Group Ticket for 5 persons of any age. Validity expires at 6 am on the morning following the last day it is valid for. The CARDs are valid for 2nd class travel on all hvv services . 

More than just a ticket

With the Hamburg CARD you can get up to 50 % reduction on more than 150 tourist attractions, including:

• harbour and Alster boat trips and city tours
• entrance to sights and museums
• tickets for musicals and theatres (spare tickets for regular shows at the box office) 
• restaurants, coffee-shops and souvenirs

All the benefits

Where can I get the Hamburg CARD?

You can get the Hamburg CARD here in our  Online Shop , at all ticket machines, in our service centres , via the hvv App, in DB travel centres, at the tourist information offices at Hauptbahnhof, Dammtor station, the port and at youth hostels and travel agents as well as under telephone number 040/300 51 300.

• Barrierefreiheit
• Branchenbuch
• Behördenfinder
• Bus & Bahn

Hamburg CARD Die Touristenkarte für Hamburg

Entdecken Sie mit der Hamburg CARD und den öffentlichen Verkehrsmitteln die Elbmetropole. Bewegen Sie sich einfach, schnell und flexibel durch die Stadt und profitieren Sie von bis zu 50 % Ermäßigung bei über 150 Attraktionen, wie z.B. bei Hafenrundfahrten, Museen, Theatern und Sehenswürdigkeiten.

Die Vorteile der Hamburg CARD

Mit der hamburg card zu günstigen preisen die stadt entdecken.

Eine Stadt wie Hamburg will entdeckt werden – zu Land und zu Wasser. Ob  klassische  Hafenrundfahrt oder Alstertour , Besuch im UNESCO-Weltkulturerbe Speicherstadt  oder im Miniaturwunderland , Musical - oder Theaterbesuch, Hamburg bietet Ihnen eine große Auswahl an Sehenswürdigkeiten und Unternehmungen im gesamten Stadtraum. Was liegt da näher als für Ihre ganz persönliche Entdeckungstour das gut ausgebaute öffentliche Verkehrsnetz des hvv zu den besonders günstigen Preisen der Hamburg CARD zu nutzen?

Mit der Hamburg CARD kommen Sie einfach, bequem und flexibel durch die Stadt und erhalten Ermäßigungen bei Hafenrundfahrten, Museen, Theatern, Stadtführungen und vielen Sehenswürdigkeiten . Bei schönem Wetter – oder mit der richtigen Kleidung! – können Sie die Stadt mit der Hamburg CARD auch zu ermäßigten Preisen mit dem geliehenen  Rad oder dem  E-Bike erkunden. Und wenn es einmal später werden sollte oder Sie ein Ausflugsziel individuell motorisiert ansteuern möchten, steht Ihnen mit der Hamburg CARD auch  Car-Sharing zu besonders günstigen Preisen zur Verfügung.

Die Hamburg CARD können Sie als Einzelperson oder als  Gruppe für einen oder mehrere Tage buchen. 

Das sind Ihre Ermäßigungen auf einen Blick:

• Freie Fahrt im Hamburger Verkehrsverbund (hvv) mit Bus, Bahn & Hafenfähren
• Hafen-, Alster- und Stadtrundfahrten: bis zu 28% Ermäßigung
• Sehenswürdigkeiten und Museen: bis zu 50% Ermäßigung
• Musicals*, Messen und Theater*: bis zu 35% Ermäßigung

Bequem zu Hause ausdrucken oder als Handy-Ticket per SMS aufs Smartphone oder als Digitales Ticket in der "Hamburg – Erleben & Sparen" ApP

*Restkarten regulärer Vorstellungen an der Abendkasse

Einen Überblick der teilnehmenden Unternehmen und weitere Infos in Deutsch und Englisch finden Sie im PDF-Flyer zum Download unter:  Hamburg CARD Flyer .

Sparpotenzial

Mit der Hamburg CARD sparen Sie während Ihres Aufenthalts bereits nach kürzester Zeit. Der geringe Aufpreis im Vergleich zu einer gewöhnlichen hvv-Nahverkehrskarte eröffnet Ihnen erhebliche Sparpotenziale.

Ein Beispiel**:

** Preise gültig für Erwachsene. Stand 03/24. Änderungen vorbehalten.

Verkaufsstellen der Hamburg CARD

Die Hamburg CARD können Sie bei uns online kaufen oder stationär an diesen Orten erstehen: 

• Tourist Informationen (Hauptbahnhof, Dammtorbahnhof, Hafen, Flughafen)
• hvv Fahrkartenautomaten
• hvv Servicestellen
• "Hamburg – Erleben & Sparen"-App
• viele Hotels und Jugendherbergen
• Vorverkaufsstellen
• Hamburg Tourismus GmbH                             

Hamburg.de wünscht Ihnen einen Aufenthalt ganz nach Ihren Vorstellungen in unserer schönen Hansestadt! 

Hamburg Card

Freie Fahrt mit Bus & Bahn sowie ermäßigter Eintritt bei über 150 Angeboten. Die Hamburg CARD ab 11,90 Euro!

Unsere Pauschalreisen

Reisepaket: Einfach Hamburg Hamburg ab 35 Euro pro Person

Einfach Wunschhotel aussuchen – Frühstück und Hamburg CARD sind schon inklusive.

Musical-Pauschalen Lassen Sie sich verzaubern!

Mit den Musical-Pauschalen erleben Sie den Zauber von Disneys DER KÖNIG DER LÖWEN und Co. – das Hotel ist direkt dabei!

Pauschalreisen

Erlebnis-Pauschalen Jetzt Hamburg erleben!

Hier finden Sie unterschiedlichste Angebote samt Hotel, Sightseeing-Programm und Hamburg CARD.

Maritime Pauschalen Das maritime Hamburg & Übernachtung

Diese Pauschalen machen Ihren Hamburg-Aufenthalt zu einem maritimen Erlebnis der Extraklasse!

Themenübersicht auf hamburg.de

• Symbol für Politik & Verwaltung Politik & Verwaltung
• Symbol für Hotel & Tourismus Hotels & Tourismus
• Symbol für Erlebnis & Freizeit Erlebnis & Freizeit
• Symbol für Kultur & Tickets Kultur & Tickets
• Symbol für Jobs & Wohnen Jobs & Wohnen
• Symbol für Verkehr Verkehr
• Symbol für Barrierefreiheit Barrierefreiheit

Ihr Hotel in Hamburg buchen

Hotel buchen.

Hotel reservieren Mo – Fr: 9 bis 17 Uhr (zum Ortstarif)

Keine Kreditkarte erforderlich und kostenlose Stornierung bis 7 Tage vor Anreise mit gebuchter Flex Option.

Alle Restaurants in Hamburg

• Liman Fisch-Restaurant & Seafood-Bar
• Finkenwerder Elbblick
• Hotel Landhaus Flottbek & Brasserie HYGGE
• D. José Restaurant
• Restaurant Leuchtturm
• Ciao Ana Restaurant
• Panthera Rodizio Hamburg
• Casa Madeira
• SPEISEKAI Restaurant & Events
• Kleinhuis Hotel & Restaurant Mellingburger Schleuse

Sehenswürdigkeiten Rathaus bis Reeperbahn

Die Hamburger Sehenswürdigkeiten von A bis Z.

Kreuzfahrtschiffe Anlauf-Termine im Überblick

Alle Traumschiff-Besuche in Ham­burg auf einen Blick.

Hafen­rundfahrt Stadtrundfahrt auf dem Wasser

Buchen Sie einen Törn durch Ham­burgs Herzstück.

Anreise So geht’s in die Hansestadt

Bus, Bahn, Auto, Flug – so kommen Sie nach Hamburg.

Urheber der Bilder

• Hamburg Card: © Hamburg Tourismus
• Hamburg CARD: © Hamburg Tourismus
• Reisepaket: Einfach Hamburg: © Hamburg Tourismus GmbH
• Disneys DER KÖNIG DER LÖWEN Logo: © Stage Entertainment/ Disney
• Verliebt in St. Pauli: © Jörg Modrow / hamburg-tourism.de
• Hamburger Hafen: © Fotolia / hamburg-tourism.de
• Hotelbuchung Telefon: © hamburg.de
• Bildergalerie: Spaziergang Fleet: © Andres Lehmann, www.andreslehmann.de
• "Mille Saluti" Queen Mary 2: © Frank Burmester
• Hafenrundfahrt Hamburg: © IMAGO / Jürgen Ritter
• Köhlbrandbrücke: © Hamburg: Das Magazin aus der Metropole
• Symbol für Branchenbuch Branchen­buch
• Symbol für Behördenfinder Behörden­finder
• Symbol für Leichte Sprache Leichte Sprache
• Symbol für Gebärdensprache Gebärden­sprache
• Symbol für Schließen Schließen
• Symbol für Menü öffnen Aktionen

Sehenswürdigkeiten, Kultur & Events Hamburg sehen & erleben

Die Stadt an der Elbe mit dem wohl bekanntesten Hafen Deutschlands bietet seinen Gästen Stadtleben pur, mit einmaligen Shopping-, Kultur-, aber auch Naturerlebnissen. Stürzen Sie sich ins Getümmel, entdecken Sie gastronomische Leckerbissen oder shoppen Sie nach Lust und Laune! Jetzt entdecken

So viel mehr können Sie sparen Rabatte mit der Hamburg CARD

Bis zu 50% Rabatt bei über 150 touristischen Attraktionen mit der Hamburg CARD! Sehen Sie hier alle Partner und Rubriken auf einen Blick. Jetzt Rabatte entdecken

• German : Deutsch
• English : English

Google translator for other languages

Please note that this is an automatic translation. For better information, you can always switch to the German or English version

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Hamburg Card: Where to Buy and Is it Worth It?

Updated on  March 8, 2024  

Are you wondering if the Hamburg Card is worth it?

Wondering where you can buy the Hamburg Card for the best price?

In this blog post, we'll answer all your questions about this tourist card in Hamburg! 👇

Hamburg Card Benefits and Where to Buy

The Hamburg Card is a special card for tourists! It helps you save money when you visit museums, attractions, or take tours in the city .

Plus, it lets you ride on public transportation for free , from buses and trains to ferries.

You can choose between 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, or 5-Day cards. And prices range from €11.90 to €48.90 per single-person card.

Here's a list of some of the Hamburg Card discounts (click category to see full list):

Museum Discounts

• Additives Museum ( €2 instead of €3.50 entry fee)
• Airport Model Exhibition (20% discount)
• Altona Museum (40% discount)
• Art Mile (Kunstmeile) Hamburg (20% discount)
• Automuseum Prototyp (16% discount)
• Bergedorf Museum (20% discount)
• Bucerius Kunst Forum (25% discount)
• CHOCOVERSUM (15% discount)
• Cap San Diego (15% discount)
• Coffee Museum Burg (18% discount)
• Deichtorhallen (33% discount)
• Deichtorhallen - Falckenberg Collection (20% discount)
• Deichtorhallen - House of Photography (33% discount)
• Deutsches Hafenmuseum (German Harbour Museum) (38% discount)
• Emigrant Museum BallinStadt (20% discount)
• HSV Museum (28% discount)
• Helms Museum (50% discount)
• International Maritime Museum (23% discount)
• Jenisch Haus (42% discount)
• Kramer Widow's Apartment (20% discount)
• Kunsthalle Hamburg (31% discount)
• Kunsthaus Hamburg (reduced prices)
• Kunstverein Hamburg (40% discount)
• Montblanc House (20% discount)
• Mahnmal St. Nikolai (25-50% discount)
• Miniatur Wunderland Hamburg (save €0.50-€1)
• Museum Ship Rickmer Rickmers (14% discount)
• Museum am Rothenbaum - Kulturen und Künste der Welt (32% discount)
• Museum der Arbeit (41% discount)
• Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe (42% discount)
• Panoptikum (15% discount)
• Polizeimuseum Hamburg (25% discount)
• Port des Lumières (15% discount)
• Speicherstadtmuseum (reduced prices)
• Spicy's Gewürzmuseum (reduced prices)
• St. Michaelis Church (reduced prices)

Culture Discounts

• Allee Theatre - Hamburger Kammeroper (20% discount)
• Alma Hoppes Lustspielhaus (27-33% discount)
• Altona Theatre (15% discount)
• ComedyBoot in Hamburg (24% discount)
• Deutsches Schauspielhaus (15% discount)
• Ernst Deutsch Theatre (20% discount)
• First Stage Theatre (30% discount)
• Hamburg Theatre Ship (16% discount)
• Hamburger Engelsaal (15% discount)
• Hamburger Kammerspiele (15% discount)
• Hamburgische Staatsoper (15% discount)
• Harburg Theatre (15% discount)
• Harry Potter and the Enchanted Child - Mehr Theater at the Großmarkt (10% discount)
• Kampnagel (20% discount)
• Kellertheatre Hamburg (20% discount)
• Komödie Winterhuder Fährhaus (15% discount)
• Ohnsorg Theatre (20% discount)
• Opernloft (15% discount)
• Pulverfass Cabaret (25% discount)
• Quatsch Comedy Club (15% discount)
• Schmidt Theatre (15% discount)
• Schmidt's TIVOLI (15% discount)
• Schmidtchen (15% discount)
• St. Pauli Theatre (25% discount)
• Stage Operettenhaus (up to 10% discount)
• Stage Theatre Neue Flora (up to 10% discount)
• Stage Theatre an der Elbe (up to 10% discount)
• Stage Theatre im Hafen (up to 10% discount)
• Thalia Theatre (15% discount)
• Varieté im Hansa Theater (25% discount)

Sightseeing Discounts

• Ahoy all sailors (20% discount)
• Alster Touristik Hamburg - Alster Cruise (15% discount)
• AlsterRadler Station (20% discount)
• Barkassen Ehlers - Big Harbour Tour, Historic Fleet Trip, Super Harbour Tour (reduced prices)
• Barkassen Meyer Harbour Tours - Big Harbour Tour, Harbor Sightseeing Tour XXL (reduced prices)
• CANAIR - Sightseeing flight (15% discount)
• City Tour - from the Town Hall to HafenCity (17% discount)
• Citi Naut - ELBPHILHARMONIE KURIOS (15% discount)
• Citi Naut - Hamburg Kurios Tour (22% discount)
• City Haut - Kiez Kurious  Tour (22% discount)
• Corpus Delicti (16% discount)
• Experience-Cooking Culinary Discount (20% discount on Genussrallye-Harbour)
• FRS Helgoline GmbH & Co. KG - Day trip / Multiday trip / One-way trip from Hamburg to Helgoland (15% on Jet Class in A, B & C season)
• Fahrradtaxi Pedalotours - City tour by rickshaw (20% discount)
• Guided City Tour "Bridges" (16% discount)
• Hamburg City Cycles - Hamburg Kompakt Tour (14% discount)
• Hamburg City Vision - Classic-Line C (13% discount)
• Hamburg Citytours hop-on-hop-off city tour ticket (reduced price)
• Hamburg Gezeiten - Private city tours (20% discount)
• Hamburg Town Hall - Tours (21% discount)
• Hanse Kart Tour - Street Kart Sightseeing Tour (reduced prices)
• Hanse Stadtrundfahrt - City Tour (Line G) (13% discount)
• Harbour Tour with Captain Heinrich Prüsse - Big Harbour Cruise (20-25% discount)
• Insider Tour of Hamburg (20% discount)
• Kiezjungs - Reeperbahn Tour (15% discount)
• Kiezjungs - Red Light District Tour (15% discount)
• Lüneburg City Tour (15% discount)
• Mister X Sightseeing Tour (40% discount)
• Rainer Abicht Elbreederei - Evening twilight cruise (20% discount)
• Ratsherrn Brauereiführung - Brewery Tour (15% discount)
• Reederei & Schiffs-Vermietung GREGORS (reduced prices)
• Reeperbahn - Lust & Vices Tour (20% discount)
• Regiomaris - Excursions in the region (15% discount)
• Runningtour Hamburg (20% discount)
• Ryddle City Rallies (30% discount)
• Satt Pauli Tour (28% discount)
• Sex & Crime in St. Pauli (25% discount)
• Speicherstadt - Hamburg's UNESCO World Heritage Site (21% discount)
• St. Georg Food Tour (15% discount)
• St. Pauli BeerTour (reduced prices)
• St. Pauli KiezTour (25% discount)
• St. Pauli QueerTour (30% discount)
• St. Pauli Quickie (17% discount)
• St. Pauli Quiz Tour (30% discount)
• St. Pauli Kulinarisch (15% discount)
• St. Pauli Night Watchman (15% discount)
• St. Pauli True Crime Tour (30% discount)
• Stade City Tour (28% discount)
• Stadterlebnis.Hamburg - Step-by-Step Through Hamburg Tour (16% discount)
• Sunday Morning Special: Off to the fish market! (20% discount)
• The Kiez-Captain Kieztour (15% discount)
• The Red Double-Deckers - Hop-on-Hop-off on Line A (13% discount)
• The Blue Double-Decker (reduced prices)
• The Yellow Double Deckers (reduced prices)
• Tunnel Tour (16% discount)
• UNESCO World Heritage Tour (17% discount)
• Verein Alsterdampfschiffahrt (reduced prices)
• Adventure World Tours - Sternschanze Kulinarisch - Die Food Tour (15% discount)
• Adventure World Tours - Elphi Plaza und HafenCity kulinarisch – Die Food Tour
• Adventure World Tours - Elbphilharmonie Tour (15% discount)
• scuddy.tours Sightseeing with electric scooters (15% discount)
• stadterlebnis.hamburg - With all your senses tour

Other Attraction Discounts

• Escape Room at the Rickmer Rickmers (17%)
• Casino Esplanade (free entry)
• Bungee Jumping (20% discount)
• David Lloyd Meridian Alstertal (25% off day tickets)
• David Lloyd Meridian Hamburg Barmbek (25% off day tickets)
• David Lloyd Meridian Hamburg Michel (25% off day tickets)
• David Lloyd Meridian Wandsbek (25% off day tickets)
• Dialogue in the Dark (15% discount)
• Dialogue in Silence (15% discount)
• Fluchtweg Hamburg - Live Escape Game (15% discount)
• Fluchtweg Hamburg Wandsbek (15% discount)
• Goblinstadt (reduced prices)
• Hamburg Dungeon (27% discount)
• Hidden Games - Puzzle Hunt (17% discount)
• Kids im Dialog (15% discount)
• Movie Golf Hamburg (save €2)
• Nordwand (15% discount on selected days)
• Open Air Museum Rieck Haus (25% discount)
• Panik City (15% discount)
• SUP Legion - Leasing SUP board (14% discount)
• Spielbank Hamburg (free entry)
• Wildpark Schwarze Berge (25% discount)
• pause & play Escape Rooms - Ferdinandstraße/Reihe (15% discount)

Shopping Discounts

• All my friends (10% discount)
• Elbphilharmonie Visitors Center (10% discount on souvenirs)

Local Public Transport

• Free use of bus, train and harbor ferries. The Hamburg CARD applies to Hamburg AB area including the airport.
• ERFAHRE Hamburg (15% discount on rentals up to 24 hours)
• Europcar (15% discount)
• Hamburg Airport Lounge (15% discount)
• Hamburg City Cycles - Bike Rental (18% discount)
• Share Now (starting credit of €5)
• StadtRAD Hamburg - Bike Rental (free 30 minutes, reduced prices)

Is a Hamburg Card Worth It?

Yes, the Hamburg Card is worth it. Some of these discounts might seem small at first, but if you plan to visit several top attractions in a day, you'll quickly save more than the €11.90 cost of the card.

For instance, if you're a museum enthusiast and you visit:

• the International Maritime Museum (saving €4),
• the Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe (saving €6)
• Kunsthalle Hamburg (saving €5),

You would have already saved what you paid for the Hamburg Card, and that's without even using the free public transport or shopping discounts included in the card.

In fact, the costs of taking public transport in Hamburg is known to be steep. And an all-day pass is already €8.80, which is covered by the Hamburg Card's free public transport feature. That makes the card well worth the price!

Of course, just remember to plan your day ahead to make the most of these savings.

Should You Get the Hamburg Card?

Whether you should get the Hamburg Card or not, depends on a few factors — how much you want to walk, the weather, what activities do you plan to do, etc.

Let's take a look at some of these factors.

How Much Do You Want To Walk?

If you're fine with a bit of exercise, you can actually reach many of Hamburg's main sights on foot.

But there's a good chance you'll find yourself wanting to use public transportation during your trip — it's simply more convenient and saves time.

That's one of the biggest advantages of the Hamburg Card. It gives you free access to Hamburg's public transportation system (HVV) — including subways, trams, buses and ferries making it easy to get around.

If your accommodation is further away from the city center (as some budget options are) or if you have little children, then you may want to take public transport to get to the key tourist spots quickly.

BUT if you enjoy exploring cities on foot and are staying close to attractions you want to visit, you might not need the free public transport offered by the Hamburg Card.

However, if you think you'll be using public transportation occasionally, like visiting the Reeperbahn or HafenCity, the Hamburg Card is a great choice.

By paying slightly more than what an all-day HVV ticket costs, you not only get unlimited public transport rides, but access to a range of fantastic discounts too, making the Hamburg Card a valuable investment. [ 1 ]

Is it Winter or Summer?

The time of year you're visiting Hamburg will affect how likely you'll want to travel on foot.

For example, if you're visiting Hamburg during the warmer summer months, you might be more inclined to explore the city on foot, and you might not use the free public transport as much.

However, if you're traveling during the the cold and rainy German winter, having the Hamburg Card can be a real lifesaver. You'll appreciate having the option to hop on public transport when it's freezing outside.

Plus, the Hamburg Card has good discounts on bike rentals and river cruises for those who want to explore different sides to Hamburg!

Where are you staying?

If you're staying in the city center (Altstadt) , you'll find yourself right in the heart of Hamburg, with some attractions like Rathausmarkt within walking distance.

In that case, you may not need to rely much on public transportation, and the Hamburg Card might be less essential for you.

On the other hand, if you're looking to save money by staying outside the inner city or prefer a different neighborhood as your base, you'd probably find yourself using public transport more frequently to navigate the city.

In such cases, the Hamburg Card is better value for money, as it provides unlimited access to public transportation and discounts on top attractions.

How long are you in Hamburg for?

If you're planning a short visit, like just a day or a weekend in Hamburg, then the Hamburg Card is a practical choice.

That's because you'll likely be cramming a lot of activities with a short timeframe, so having the card will allow you to use public transport to get around quickly and save lots using the attraction discounts.

However, if you're staying in Hamburg for an extended period, like several weeks or more, then using Hamburg Cards to cover your entire stay can become costly.

It might not be worth getting the card for the entire duration of your trip. Instead, you could consider getting it for 1-5 days and using it on days when you plan to visit attractions with the discounts.

Your Hamburg Itinerary

If you've got a packed itinerary and can make the most of multiple attraction discounts and free public rides with the Hamburg Card, you can get more than your money's worth.

However, if your goal for your trip is to take things slow, you may not make full use of the card's benefits. Then it might not be the most cost-effective choice for you.

To help you decide, some of the best discounts include…

Museums and galleries:

• €7.50 off Hamburg Dungeon
• €6.00 off Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe
• €5.00 off Kunsthalle Hamburg
• €4.00 off International Maritime Museum
• €3.75 off the Chocoversum
• 15% off Dialogue in The Dark

Tours and experiences:

• Up to 40% off sightseeing tours
• Up to 25% off cruises
• Up to 20% off city tours
• 15% off Adventure World food tours
• 18% off bike rentals
• 17% off UNESCO World Heritage tour

Plus discounts on a number of shops around the city.

Hamburg is known to be a moderate pricey city , and most "budget" travelers can expect to spend around €11/day on transport and €15/day on sightseeing on average.

So for under €12 a day, the Hamburg Card is a steal.

So, should you get the Hamburg Card?

To sum it up, your decision to get the Hamburg Card should align with your travel plans and preferences.

If you're making a trip to Hamburg during the winter (or even the summer), plan to depend on public transport to get around, AND want to explore numerous attractions, the Hamburg Card is a great investment.

On the other hand, if you want a more leisurely trip, focused mostly on restaurants , cocktails, and relaxed strolls within the city, the card may not be the most cost-effective. You might consider getting it for just one day when it would provide the most value.

Ultimately, the Hamburg Card's value depends on how you intend to spend your time and whether its benefits match with your travel plans.

References:

1: HVV - Single / Day Tickets, retrieved from https://www.hvv.de/en/tickets/single-day-tickets

About the Author

Stephan Drescher

Stephan Drescher, founder of germanytravel.blog, is a German travel expert and insider, providing trusted tips and advice for a perfect trip to Germany. Born & bred German.

Hamburg public transport association (hvv)

Public transport in and around Hamburg

Getting easily across the town with the Hamburg Public Transport Association (Hamburger Verkehrsverbund - hvv) and the Hamburg CARD

Buses, trains and harbor ferries can be used free of charge with all hvv tickets and the Hamburg CARD. All important destinations and sights in and around Hamburg can be reached via the hvv's well-developed and well-connected route network.

Hamburg CARD: Experience more Hamburg & save money

Any number of journeys throughout Hamburg, all day from 0:00 am to 6:00 am the next day. With the Hamburg CARD, you no longer have to worry about how to get where and when - just hop on and explore the city! Hamburg offers multi-day tickets for 1 to 5 days, for individuals and groups. Expert tip: The group ticket is worthwhile for groups of 2 or more and is valid for up to 5 people. The one-way ticket is valid for one adult and 3 children aged 6 to 14. All children under the age of 6 travel free of charge on the hvv.

With the Hamburg CARD you can explore the entire city from €11.90. And save a lot at the same time.

The Hamburg CARD is more than just a ticket! With the Hamburg CARD you can discover the Hanseatic city conveniently, flexibly and inexpensively. In addition to free travel on buses, trains and harbor ferries, the Hamburg CARD offers up to 50% discount on over 150 offers.  You receive a discount of up to €7 on harbor tours (one or two hours with audio guide, on original or modern barges). You can experience Alster and city tours at a lower price and admission to sights and museums is also reduced. Further discounts are available at the box office for theaters and musicals.

Over 100 restaurants and cafés round off the Hamburg CARD offer. Simply book the Schlemmerglück upgrade from €2/day and enjoy culinary Hamburg experiences. https://www.hamburg-tourism.de/buchen/hamburg-card/vorteile/

More information to experience & save more in Hamburg.

Explore the Elbe with the hvv

A special tip for Hamburg guests is that ships are also included in the regular hvv offer. This means that you can also "set sail" with the hvv and explore parts of the Port of Hamburg and the Elbe with one of the 6 scheduled HADAG harbor ferry services.

The hvv ensures that you can get to and from anywhere easily

With around 30 transport companies, the hvv operates an extensive system of suburban trains, regional services, bus and boat lines in and around Hamburg. The extensive network of routes ensures good connections to the districts of Hamburg as well as to the Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony districts bordering Hamburg.

The hvv route network. Less stress. More time

Save yourself time and stress behind the wheel. In the Hamburg AB area, S-Bahn and U-Bahn trains and MetroBuses run on weekdays from 05:00 in the morning until around 23:00, usually every 5 to 10 minutes, at least every 20 minutes. From Thursday to Saturday, buses and trains run continuously. On Friday and Saturday nights, they are supplemented by city, Xpress, regional and night buses

Park & Ride facilities in the hvv

Simply park your car at a Park & Ride facility and change to the train or bus. There are Park & Ride facilities at around 110 rapid transit and regional transport stops in the A-E rings, which are open day and night and some are even covered. There are also parking spaces for bicycles at many stops, most of which are also covered.

Accessibility at stops in the hvv area

Accessible stops and Park&Ride facilities are also marked on the route network map. The personal online timetable also offers the option of selecting criteria such as "no stairs" or "avoid changing trains". Almost all underground, suburban and regional train stops are largely barrier-free, and the use of low-floor buses is constantly being expanded. The hvv website provides an overview of the services on offer, and the brochure "Barrier-free travel" is also available for download.

Hamburg CARD Discount

Free use of bus, train and harbor ferries. The Hamburg CARD applies to Hamburgs fare rings AB incl. 

From A to B quickly & easily Getting around Hamburg

Hamburg offers many possibilities for getting from A to B. In addition buses, the underground and suburban trains, you can explore the city, for example, by bike or harbour ferry. Rental vehicles and car-sharing are also flexible solutions for getting around. More

We are here for you Tourist Information and Service Centre

Do you need assistance with booking or would you like further advice? We are here for you online, by phone and on site. We offer you a wide range of everything to make your visit to the Hanseatic city even more enjoyable: tickets for events, musicals and shows, the Hamburg CARD, Hamburg information, brochures, sightseeing tours and more. Get informed

Free App App Hamburg – Experiences & Savings

With the App Hamburg – Experience & Save, you always know about the current discounts and reductions you can get on classic tours such as harbour, Alster and city tours as well as museums and restaurants. The Hamburg CARD is also your bus and train ticket all over Hamburg. Read more

THIS MIGHT INTEREST YOU AS WELL Further recommendations

Hamburg travel tips every first time visitor needs to know

Find out the dos and don'ts of navigating the city, from worthwhile boat tours to museum tips and more

Welcome to Hamburg, a city brisk with sea air, brimming with Hanseatic pride and open to the world not only in terms of centuries of maritime trade, but also in its vivid mix of nationalities, identities and political inclinations – not to mention its dusk-to-dawn party stamina. Whether you’re in town for 48 hours , a week or indefinitely, here’s how to make the most of this exciting harbour city, from public transport tips to tucked-away architectural treasures.

⛴  The best things to do in Hamburg 📍 The best attractions in Hamburg ⏰ How to spend 48 hours in Hamburg

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20 travel tips every Hamburg visitor needs to know

1.  Expect the rough with the smooth

Every metropolis is multi-faceted, but Hamburg’s vivid contrasts often take first-time visitors by wide-eyed surprise. While Berlin inclines towards a gritty edge, Frankfurt puts its finance suit on and Munich purrs with prosperity and mountain air, Hamburg has something of the rough, the smooth and the salty all mixed together. It’s a place replete with harbour bawdiness as much as Hanseatic elegance, as dense with millionaires as it is with a history of anarchist dissent. Whatever your budget and taste, be adventurous, explore different districts and get a sense of the city’s striking variety.

2.  Get a Hamburg Card

Hamburg public transport (HVV) is extensive and efficient, with round-the-clock services at weekends. With the Hamburg Card, you have unlimited travel on all U-Bahn, S-Bahn, bus and ferry routes, as well as more than 150 discounts at many of the city’s museums, restaurants and stores. A one-day card, which is valid until 6am the following morning, costs €10.90 for one adult and up to three children under the age of 14. A three-day card costs €28.90. You can buy your card of choice on HVV buses, at vending machines, service centres, tourist offices, many hotels and hostels, and online.

3.  …and a Kunstmeile Card if you’re into art

In the heart of Hamburg, the Kunstmeile includes five of the city’s most renowned art institutions: Hamburger Kunsthalle , Kunstverein Hamburg, Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, Bucerius Kunst Forum and the Deichtorhallen Hamburg, all within walking distance of each other. If you plan on checking out even two of these, it’s worth getting the three-day Kunstmeile Pass, costing €25, or €20 with the Hamburg Card.

4.  Go to the Kunsthalle late

The Kunsthalle is one of the most important museums in Germany, with major works across 700 years of European art history, including star turns from Cranach, Holbein, Canaletto, Gauguin and Caspar David Friedrich. Of course, there are plenty of other people wanting to catch a glimpse of the masterpieces, so if you’re hoping for a wistful moment alone before Wanderer above the Sea of Fog, your best chance will be with a late visit on Thursday, when the Kunsthalle stays open until 21.00.

5.  Carry cash

Like many cities in Germany, Hamburg has plenty of smaller bars, shops and restaurants that will only accept cash. Though you’re likely never too far from an ATM or “Geldautomat,” it’s always wise to have some cash in your pocket.

6.  Take to the water

With its nose to the North Sea, its vast harbour infrastructure, two inner-city lakes, a network of canals and majestic Elbe river, Hamburg is a city defined by proximity to—and the presence of—water. Make the most of the life aquatic with a trip round the harbour, a lazy day beside the Elbe, or a rental canoe, rowing boat or sailing boat on the Outer Alster lake.

7.  …and hop on Ferry 62 for a cheaper harbour tour

Unless you want running (mostly German) commentary, the regular public ferry 62 is a great way to see Hamburg’s harbour, and is much cheaper than the official tours. A round trip will start and end at Landungsbrücken, taking in Altona, the Fischmarkt , Fischereihafen and Neumühlen, where you’ll find the city beach, Strandperle . The ferry is yours to ride with a standard HVV ticket, and you’re free to hop on and off along the route.

8.  Put in some pedal time, too

With flat roads and dedicated cycle paths throughout the city, Hamburg is a very bike-friendly place. Some hostels and hotels have their own bike rental, but you can also check out the city-wide “Stadtrad” rental scheme—sturdy, red-pedal steeds which you can pick up and drop off at a multitude of stations all over town. The bikes are free to ride for the first 30 minutes, costing eight cents per minute thereafter, up to a daily cap of €12.

9.  Sundays are for leisure

Germany takes Sundays seriously; in the interest of both the religious Sabbath and workers’ rights to at least one day off a week, the country has some of the strictest laws on retail opening hours in Europe, and Hamburg is no exception. Though most restaurants, attractions and bars will be open and bustling on a Sunday, you can expect almost all shops to be closed, except for very basic grocery stores or “spätis.” If you need some supplies or plan to dine in, be sure to stock up on groceries on Saturday afternoon.

10.  Pack a raincoat in winter

If you’re hoping to escape wet weather, think again; Hamburg is renowned for its damp and cloudy winters. There’s plenty to keep you warm and entertained indoors, but between October and April, you’ll do well to pack a raincoat and umbrella.

11.  …and swimwear in summer

When sun hits the city, Hamburgers flock to the city’s many waterfront locales, whether for a sail, a chilled Astra beer or a paddle in the shallows. Though real swimming is not recommended due to passing boats, currents and swells, many dip their toes in both the Elbe and Outer Alster Lake. Strandperle and Strand Pauli are among the city’s best-loved beach clubs.

12.  Don’t miss the Reeperbahn

With its lurid run of erotic shops, fast-food joints and 24-hour pharmacies, the fluorescent thoroughfare that is the Reeperbahn is certainly not the makings of an elegant night out, but it’s an essential part of Hamburg’s identity. Whatever your taste, it’s well worth at least one walk down the “party mile”, if only to observe the bawdiness of its bars and the diversity of its crowds, from ebullient bachelorette parties to law school kids out to prove their wild side. You’ll see plenty of prostitutes, strip joints and upfront seediness, but with so many bright lights and people around you’re very unlikely to feel unsafe.

13.  You can party long and late if you want to

Whether you embrace raucous Reeperbahn revelry or opt for one of the city’s finest upscale cocktail joints, you can be sure to stay out late in Hamburg. Many bars and clubs won’t really kick off until well after midnight and the most dedicated night-owls will head straight from the party to breakfast, often in the form of a salutary sandwich at the Sunday morning Fischmarkt .

14.  Book ahead for Elphi

Hamburg’s new Elbphilharmonie , affectionately known as “Elphi”, opened in January 2017 to rapturous acclaim, despite being several years late—and ten times over budget—on completion. As well as its stunning waterfront location and impressive architectural impact, the building’s three concert venues boast some of the best acoustics in the world. If you want to experience them for yourself, do book well in advance either online or over the phone. Note that the Laeiszhalle is a separate venue, three kilometres away from the new building.

15.  Ogle the architecture

Though it suffered significant bombing during World War II, Hamburg is home to some remarkable buildings old and new. As well as the Elbphilharmonie , other major architectural landmarks include the elaborate, neo-Renaissance town hall; the extraordinary red-brick warehouse district; the seventeenth-to-nineteenth century houses on the Deichstraße; and the 1920s Chilehouse and waterfront Dockland Office Building (2005), both of which nod to Hamburg’s maritime identity with forms like a ship’s prow.

16.  Sample the seafood

Naturally, Hamburg prides itself on excellent fish. Whether you’re in the mood for classic Hanseatic elegance at the Fischereihafen , sublime sushi at Henssler and Henssler , or market stall banter and  fischbrötchen (fish sandwiches) at the Fischmarkt , be sure to savour some seafood.

17.  Enjoy a free concert at the St Michaeliskirche

Beneath its 132-metre high spire, the 18 th -century ‘Der Michel’ is a historic Hamburg landmark, and not just for ships sailing up the Elbe. Dedicated to the Archangel Michael, it is considered one of the finest Hanseatic Protestant churches in the baroque style. There is an organ recital at noon each day, allowing you to enjoy the church’s remarkable acoustics as well as its impressive interior.

18.  Miniatur Wunderland is not just for kids

Tucked away in the Speicherstadt district, the Miniatur Wunderland is the largest model railroad in the world, and you sure don’t need to be a child or a train geek to get a kick out of its scale, technical wizardry and extraordinary attention to detail. At last count, it consisted of 15,400 metres of track and 900 trains, alternatively whizzing or trundling through replica American, Swiss, Scandinavian, Italian, German and Alpine landscapes. It’s not just trains, either; the Miniatur Wunderland also includes road, air and sea traffic infrastructure with cars, lorries, fire engines, police cars, cruise liners and the world’s most comprehensive miniature airport, complete with hangars, terminals, ground staff and vehicles.

19.  Get botanical

Hamburg has many glorious green spaces, among them the Planten un Blomen park. This 116-acre city oasis features a vast tropical greenhouse, water features, an ice-skating rink, an Alpine garden, a rose garden with some 300 varieties of rose and a show-stealing Japanese garden, complete with tea pavilion. If you’re in town in the summer, pack a blanket and a bottle of wine and watch one of the park’s water light shows, or Wasserlichtkonzerte , which take place every night from May to September, starting at 10 pm.

20.  Explore the suburbs

With so much to see in the Altstadt and neighbouring districts, it’s easy to spend your trip in Hamburg central only. But for those who enjoy a little serenity in the city, a bus trip west to the rolling Jenisch Park or upscale Blankenese suburb promises a major dose of leafy peace and luxury. Wander the park’s peaceful woodland paths; pop into the Ernst Barlach Museum of modern expressionist sculpture; or enjoy tea, cake and pristine Elbe views in one of Blankenese’s classic cafes.

Time to see some sights

The 10 best attractions in Hamburg

Known as a harbour city, millionaire’s metropolis, media capital and an anarchist hub, Germany’s second-largest city is an intoxicating mix. A place where the North Sea winds carry prosperous Hanseatic trading history, as much as bawdy nightlife and a long tradition of leftist dissent.

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Hamburg Card: Is it Worth Buying?

A city card can be an easy way to see top sightseeing spots and save money at the same time.  In most cases, a tourist pass allows you to pay one price and then get access to certain attractions for free.

The Hamburg Card works a bit differently.  It includes public transportation and discounts on local experiences and restaurants. If you still have to pay for attractions, is the Hamburg Card worth it?

One of the reasons I like the Hamburg Card is that you don’t have to go crazy doing a ton of sightseeing to save money.  You can take time and enjoy the city. Let me share more about the Hamburg Card, the new Hamburg Card app, and help you decide if you should get one.

Note: This post contains affiliate links.  Please see disclosure for more information.

What is the Hamburg Card?

How much is the hamburg card, how long is the hamburg card valid, what if i am staying in hamburg longer than five days, will i need to take public transportation in hamburg, other transportation options with the hamburg card, is the hamburg card worth it, the hamburg card app, hop-on hop-off tours, hamburg card boat tours, best attractions on the hamburg card, what is not included in the hamburg card, hamburg card restaurants , how much can you save with the hamburg card, where to buy the hamburg card, how does the hamburg card work, hamburg card review, expert tips for making the most of the hamburg card.

The Hamburg Card is a city pass with a bit of a twist. Unlike other city passes (like the New York Pass ) it does not include free admission to tourist attractions.  Instead, it includes unlimited public transportation and discounts at more than 150 attractions, restaurants, and theaters.

A single ticket covers one adult and up to three children under 15.  There is a group ticket that is good for up to five people of any age.  It’s actually not hard to save money with the group ticket even if there are only two adults because it costs less than two individual Hamburg Cards.

There are a few more types of Hamburg Cards:

• Hamburg Card Light – The Light Card includes the same discounts as the Hamburg Card but does not include public transportation. There is no group option though, so each adult needs to get their own card.
• Hamburg Card Plus Region – The Region Card includes everything that the Hamburg Card includes plus public transportation in a wider area.  The Hamburg Card covers transportation in the AB zones while the Region Card covers ABCDE zones. The last page of this brochure has a map that shows what each zone covers.

If you want a pass that includes admission for attractions, there is a Hamburg city pass (also referred to as the Hamburg turbopass ).  It’s significantly more expensive than the Hamburg Card (because it includes admission instead of just a discount) and only includes 25 attractions.  It could still save you money if you plan to do a lot of sightseeing.  Read more about the Hamburg city card here .

The price depends on which Hamburg Card you purchase and the number of days.  With each additional day purchased the price per day decreases. Also, keep in mind that three children are also included on the single card and up to five people can use the group card.  If you are traveling with others the savings grow. You will save the most by getting the group ticket for five days.

When you purchase the Hamburg Card you must specify the dates you want to use it.  It can be for one to five consecutive days. The Hamburg Card will work from midnight until 6 am the following day for the dates purchased.

The maximum length of time the Hamburg Card is good for is five days.  If you are staying in Hamburg longer buy multiple cards or if you’re not planning on doing much sightseeing consider the weekly 24/7 Season Ticket to save money on public transportation.

Yes, unless you plan on driving or riding a bike or scooter.  Attractions are spread out across the city and it’s interesting to see the different neighborhoods, so I don’t think it is feasible to just walk everywhere.  The public transportation system in Hamburg is reliable, safe, clean, and relatively simple.

Don’t forget that the Hamburg Card includes ferries.  The ferries are a reasonable alternative to a sightseeing boat cruise.  While you won’t have the commentary, the views are the same. Start at Landungsbrücken and choose either the 62 ferry to Finkenwerder which takes about 30 minutes or for a shorter ride take the 72 ferry to the new Elbphilharmonie or  the 75 ferry to Steinwerder.  From Steinwerder, you can walk through the Elbe Tunnel back to Landungsbrücken.

Public Transportation is not the only way to get around the city with the Hamburg Card.  You can also get save money on car rentals with UBEEQO. With the Hamburg Card, there is no registration fee (normally €15) and you get a €25 credit.

Bike rentals with Hamburg City Cycles are also part of the Hamburg Card.  Hamburg is a very bike-friendly city, so this is another fun option for exploring the city.

The Hamburg Card is one of the least expensive city cards that I have come across.  Considering it includes unlimited public transportation, I think it is pretty easy to justify the cost.

Let’s take a look at some examples.  

• One person in Hamburg for one day:  The Single Hamburg Card would cost € 10.50.  The unlimited transportation part would have cost € 7.80, so you would only need to save € 2.70 on attractions to break even.  That can easily be done by visiting just one attraction.  Visit more attractions, eat at one of the restaurants, get theater tickets and save even more.  Also, keep in mind that up to three children can be included, so if you are bringing along the little ones, there will be additional savings.
• Two adults in Hamburg for one day: The Group Hamburg Card would cost € 18.50. Two unlimited transportation passes would have cost € 15.60, which means you only need to save € 2.90 on attractions for two people to break even.
• Five adults in Hamburg for one day: The Group Hamburg Card would cost € 18.50.  Just unlimited transportation for five people would cost € 39.  You don’t even need to visit any attractions to save money.

These examples illustrate how easy it is to save on one-day Hamburg Cards.  Keep in mind, Hamburg Cards with a longer duration have a lower cost per day making it easier to save even more. 

Similarly, the more people that use the card the greater the savings.  The Hamburg Group Card is a no brainer. The one thing to keep in mind is that the group is only issued one card.  This means everyone has to stick together to be able to use it. If you have a group that likes to do different things, consider getting multiple cards.

There is now a convenient app for the Hamburg Card.  It can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store here or Google Play Store here . You can store the Hamburg Card on the app so there is no need for any paper card.  Everything needed to use the card is stored on your phone.

The app includes a list of experiences in Hamburg – not just those that are part of the Hamburg Tourist Card.  You can click on each attraction to find out more information including a description, operating hours, address, and discount percentage.  That way you can research and plan your trip to Hamburg and have all the information you need on your phone. 

The amount of information about each attraction in the app was a bit inconsistent.  Some had lengthy descriptions while others didn’t. Not all included operating hours, etc.  Also, given how well the Germans speak English it is easy to forget that the official language is German.  As I was going through the app, I noticed some of the descriptions were in German. In those cases, I just googled the name of the attraction to find out more about it in English.  Also, some of the attractions use English names and some are in German so when I did a search in the app if I didn’t use the right language it sometimes wouldn’t find it

You can go through the list based on what is included in the Hamburg Card, your interests, or use the search feature if you know the name.  Click on the heart next to the attraction name and it will save it to your favorites section for easy reference. Just keep in mind once your Hamburg Card expires, your favorites will no longer be saved.

Unfortunately, there is no option to search the attractions by location or neighborhood while you are planning your trip.  When you are in Hamburg, choose the redeem discount option and it will show a list of merchants offering a discount nearby.

A hop-on Hop-off tour can be an efficient way to get an overview of a city, especially when it is your first time visiting.  Luckily for those that enjoy these types of tours, there are a few that offer Hamburg Card discounts:

• The Red Double Decker
• The Yellow Double Decker
• The Blue Double Decker
• Hamburg City Vision

Some of these hop-on hop-off buses offer a combined ticket that includes a harbor tour.

One of my favorite things to do in Hamburg is to spend time out on a boat! As I mentioned, with the Hamburg Card you can take the ferries for free (which we enjoyed), but no ferries go on the Alster.  It’s also fun to take a tour through the harbor. There are a few companies that offer discounts for boat tours if you have the Hamburg Card:

• Rainer Abicht Elbreederei
• Verein Alsterdampfschiffahrt
• Alster Touristik
• Hamburg Belly Tours (Each person gets their own boat and there is a guide to lead you through the Alster and its canals)
• Bergedorfer Schifffahrtslinie

For those interested in a private charter, the Hamburg Card includes discounts with Hamburg City Sailing .

The Hamburg Card has over 150 attractions so it’s not possible to see them all in one trip.  If you are trying to narrow down your Hamburg sightseeing list, these are some of the top attractions that offer discounts with the Hamburg Card:

• Miniatur Wunderland: A model village that is bigger and more detailed than you can imagine.  We spent over 4 hours exploring it and could have stayed longer if we had the time. This is one of the most popular attractions in Hamburg so there can be a queue to get in at times, so best to go early.  Read Tripadvisor reviews here .
• Chocoversum by Hachez: At the chocolate museum, you can learn more about how chocolate is made and then make your own chocolate bar.  Our 90-minute tour was technically in German but our tour guide, Lena, was amazing and translated everything for us. Check here in advance for the English tour schedule.  Read Tripadvisor reviews here . (If you are a chocolate lover, also consider visiting Brussels where they also have a chocolate museum.)
• Discovery Dock: This is a new high-tech interactive experience that helps visitors learn more about the Hamburg Port.  Be sure to read my Discovery Dock review . Note that there is a Hamburg Card discount for the Discovery Dock tour but the combined package that includes a boat ride is not included in the program. Read Tripadvisor reviews here .

• St. Michael’s Church: Called Michel by the locals, this is Hamburg’s largest and most important church.  Inside there are five organs and an impressive 20-meter tall altar. It also has a tower with spectacular views over the city. Read Tripadvisor reviews here .
• Rathaus: This is the Hamburg Town Hall and it is a spectacular and elaborate building.   You can go inside a few rooms and the courtyard for free but they also offer a guided tour.  Most tours are in German though, so be sure to contact them in advance ( email here ) to get the schedule for English tours. Read Tripadvisor reviews here .
• St. Nicholas’s Church:  This church was destroyed by bombs during World War II but the tower and some of the walls still remain.  There are some moving sculptures in what would have been the Nave. There is an interesting museum underground and from the tower, you have 360-degree aerial views of the city center.  Read Tripadvisor reviews here .

• Dialogue in the Dark: This exhibition is designed to raise awareness and give visitors an idea of what it is like to be blind. You are led through different settings in total darkness.  Read Tripadvisor reviews here . Another similar experience in Hamburg would be eating at Unsicht Bar, which also offers a Hamburg Card discount. The name translates to “Invisible bar”. Here diners eat in complete darkness guided by a staff that is blind or visually impaired. Read Tripadvisor reviews here .

There are many other must-see attractions and tours in Hamburg that are part of the Hamburg Card.  Check out the complete list here .

I don’t think you will find a city card that offers better coverage than the Hamburg Card – it includes more than 150 attractions, although you will find some tours that do not offer a Hamburg Card discounts. There are also some special tickets that need to be bought online (like those to skip a line) don’t include a Hamburg Card discount.  

Select restaurants offer a discount to Hamburg Card holders.  The discount varies by restaurant but tends to be around 20%. Be sure to show the Hamburg Card before placing your order.

During our trip, we ate at Cafe Ponton (which is part of the Hamburg Card).  They had a lot of choices on the menu with English explanations so it was easy for us both to find dishes we liked.  The portion sizes were huge (we could have probably shared) and the prices were reasonable especially after the Hamburg Card discount. We sat at a section in the restaurant that was on a pontoon on a canal.  It was romantic dining outside on the water.  Read reviews on Tripadvisor here .

We also tried to eat at Zum Alten Lotsenhaus (also part of the Hamburg Card) but it was full when we got there.  The name translates to “old pilot house” and it has been a restaurant since 1801! Read reviews on Tripadvisor here .  If you would like to go, it’s best to make a reservation so you don’t have the same problem.  It’s not too far from the Museum Harbor Neumühlen ferry stop (take the #62 ferry) and there are also a lot of beach bars close by along the Elbe.

Check the complete list of restaurants that participate in the Hamburg Card program here .

We were given a complimentary group Hamburg Card for four days so that we could share the experience with our readers.  The card would have cost €59.50. There were two of us.

That gave us:

• Unlimited public transportation for 2 people in Hamburg for 4 days – €74
• Savings at Cafe Ponton – €7.54
• Savings at the Chocolate Museum for 2 people – €6
• Savings at Discovery Dock – €5.20 
• Savings at St. Nicholas Church for 2 people – €3
• Savings at Miniatur Wunderland for 2 people – €2

Total Savings: €38.24

We could have saved more by eating at more of the restaurants that offered a discount for the card.  I had planned on a few for lunch but we skipped lunch most days after our huge breakfasts at the Holiday Inn Hamburg . Also, there was one day we did a day trip to Schwerin so we didn’t do any sightseeing in Hamburg that day.

It’s easy to buy the Hamburg Card online so that you are set and ready to explore once you arrive.  There are a few options to choose from:

• Printable ticket: Book online here then the card will be sent by email so you can print it out at home.
• Mobile phone ticket: Enter your mobile phone number in the field provided when purchasing the Hamburg Card online here and receive the card as an SMS on your smartphone
• App-Ticket: Buy the card through the free Hamburg Card App which can be downloaded from the Apple App Store here or Google Play Store here .

If you prefer to buy the Hamburg Card in person, you can find it at Tourist Information Hamburg (Central Station, Port, Airport), Train station ticket vending machines, buses, many Hamburg hotels, youth hostels, and ticket offices.  Since the Hamburg Card includes transportation from the airport, it’s best to buy it there to take advantage of that benefit. There is a Hamburg Tourist Information shop right across from the entrance to the metro in Terminal 2.

If you are using the Hamburg Card app, there is an option on the bottom menu that says “Hamburg Card.” You click on this and it gives the option to buy the card or add a card you purchased on the website by scanning the QR code.  Then when it’s time the card automatically activates.  

Once the card is active, when you click on the Hamburg Card option inside the app it will show two options.  One to show the QR code for the HVV ticket (public transportation) and one to redeem discounts for attractions and restaurants.  Click on the appropriate option and show as needed. Note that the Hamburg public transportation system operates sort of on an honor system.  You don’t need to scan in and out, just be prepared to show it if someone asks.  

For those that prefer a more traditional card, there is also the option to have a paper discount card.  You would use it the same way as the app. Just show the paper card on public transportation, at the attractions, and restaurants.

If you are planning on visiting Hamburg, then the Hamburg Card is a no brainer especially when traveling with others.  It’s nice that you can save money on a sightseeing pass without feeling like you have to squeeze in as much sightseeing as possible.

It was easy to use and gave us discounts at more places than we had time to visit.  We saw a lot while we were in Hamburg, yet there are still lots of attractions on the Hamburg Card that we haven’t been able to visit.  I plan on getting the card again the next time we visit!

Click here to purchase the Hamburg Card for your trip.

Have you been to Hamburg?

Pin for Later

• Use public transportation to easily explore different areas in Hamburg.  The ferries are a free way to see the city from the water.
• The Hamburg Card app can help with planning your time in Hamburg.
• It’s nice to know that it does not take much to get value out of the Hamburg Card, but the more you use the card the more you save. 

Disclosure: We received a complimentary Hamburg Group Card from Hamburg Marketing so that we could share the experience with our readers.

This post also contains affiliate links. This means we will receive a small commission for some purchases made using links in our blog with no additional cost to you.  Please be assured we would not promote any product unless we believe that our readers will also benefit.  The commission does not influence the editorial content of this site.

About the Author

Anisa  

Anisa is an experienced international traveler with extra pages in her passport and stamps from 41 different countries across 5 continents (and counting). She was born and raised in Texas. After a 13 year stint in NYC, she moved to England to live with her husband.

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Getting Around Public Transport

Hamburg boasts an extensive public transport system including underground trains, a light-rail network, buses and ferries.

Public Transport ─ HVV Underground Trains, Ferries & Buses

Whether you prefer walking, driving or cycling ─ getting around in Hamburg is easy. The city boasts an extensive public transport network of rapid transit and regional trains, buses and harbour ferries, operated by Hamburg's public transport organisation HVV .

See this brief introductory video:

Public Transport in Hamburg

A range of single, daily and weekly tickets that are valid for all buses, trains and ferries are available at HVV ticket machines. For frequent travellers, monthly or annual tickets are the cheapest options. Also, be sure to ask your Hamburg-based employer if the company takes part in the ProfiCard-programme. The Hamburg CARD is recommended for tourists, as it grants discounts on various cultural and leisure activities in addition to free transportation. Note: Day-passes are cheaper after 9:00 a.m.

Additionally, since 1 May 2023, the federal Deutschlandticket is available, offering unlimited access to local and regional mobility all over Germany for only €49 per month. Please note that this ticket comes as a subscription service, and not as a one-off ticket. Still, for visitors staying a week or longer, this may be a worthwhile alternative. For more information, see our Deutschlandticket page.

S-Bahn and U-Bahn

The key element to Hamburg's public transport system is the network of rapid transit and regional rail services that connect the city centre to the greater region. As of December 2023, Hamburg has four U-Bahn underground lines, four S-Bahn suburban lines and nine regional rail services that link Hamburg to other cities in the region, with

Infrastructure Underground Line U5

and two additional S-Bahn lines

New Mobility Measures Public Transport Plans

by the end of the decade.

The rail network is complemented by an extensive range of bus services with metro buses (frequent services), express buses, sprinter buses and regional buses (connecting to stations and surrounding towns).

There are six ferry lines serving the harbour and the River Elbe. These routes have two-digit numbers starting at 61. You can use your HVV ticket to 'set sail' and even go on a little trip around the harbour. All ferries stop at Landungsbrücken.

The public network is structured into five rings centred around the Alster Lakes. Rings A and B (called Großbereich) cover the City, and if you are travelling further, Rings C, D, E will take you up to 60 kms away from the city. Some regional trains are also included in the fare (Gesamtbereich).

Operating hours

On weekdays, U/S trains operate from 4:30 a.m. to 0:30 a.m. the next morning, with night buses running on main routes after midnight. On weekends (Fri through Sun), U/S trains run 24 hours. Bus services operate on similar schedules.

If you require assistance, just ask the staff at one of the information desks on the platform of larger stations or the Service Point at Central Station or find your closest Service Point on www.hvv.de . Hamburgers ─ if not in too big of a hurry ─ are also happy to help. For information on accessibility visit the HVV-Service.

Public Transport

Hamburg has big plans to alleviate traffic congestion and connect commercial and residential areas with the city centre by expanding public transport.

Mobility hvv Deutschlandticket

Since 1 May 2023 travelling around Hamburg and the metropolitan region by public transport is easier and cheaper thanks to the hvv Deutschlandticket.

Getting Around StadtRAD City Bikes

Bike-lovers can explore Hamburg on two wheels when they sign up for the city's public bike system: StadtRAD Hamburg.

Getting Around Car Sharing

With several car sharing companies to choose from, your car is always parked just around the corner.​​​​​​

Getting Around Speed Cameras

To avoid unexpected travel expenses, beware of speed cameras in and around Hamburg!​​​​​​​

Getting Around Taxi Services

Hamburg has several taxi companies that operate within the city. Find out how to contact them and what rates you can expect.​​​​​​​

Hamburg by... Bike

Nothing beats Hamburg by bike! Join a city cycling tour or take your bike on the train to explore the suburbs on two wheels.

Hamburg by ... Boat

Take to the water and discover a new side of Hamburg. Paddle through romantic canals or sail the beautiful Alster lake.​​​​​​​

Hamburg by ... Bus

Hop on and off the red double decker sightseeing bus or join one of the many themed bus tours, from architecture to comedy.​​​​​​​

Hamburg by ... Foot

Go sightseeing at your own pace with one of the eight popular walking routes to explore different areas of Hamburg on foot.​​​​​​​

Hamburg by ... Train

Keen to explore Hamburg by train? The network will get you anywhere in the city and to the most beautiful sights around Hamburg.​​​​​​​

For new Residents Free Public Transport

The HVV grants each and every new resident of the city of Hamburg free public transport for 7 days. See conditions here and explore your new home.

HVV Public Transport Network Overview

To get a concise overview of the many travel options in Hamburg, see the pages of the HVV public transport provider.

Copyright owners of the images

• S-Bahn train at Elbbrücken station: © Robert Hofmann / Pixabay
• Public Transport: © www.mediaserver.hamburg.de / Christian Hinkelmann
• U5 Hamburg map: © wikimedia commons / NordNordWest
• Traffic Plans : © Pascal Treichler / Pixabay
• hvv Deutschlandticket: © Imago / imagebroker
• StadtRAD Hamburg: © imago stock & people / Christine Roth
• Car2go cars at Hamburg Airport: © imago stock & people / Waldmüller
• Radar Traps: © imago stock & people / Christian Ohde
• Taxi Services Hamburg: © imago stock & people / Waldmüller
• Hamburg by bike: © www.mediaserver.hamburg.de / Roberto Kai Hegeler
• hamburg by boat: © www.mediaserver.hamburg.de / Roberto Kai Hegeler
• Hamburg by bus: © Waterkant Touren
• Hamburg by foot: © imago stock & people
• Hamburg by train: © Hochbahn
• HVV Service New Citizens: © imago images / Westend61
• Transport: © www.mediaserver.hamburg.de / Christian Spahrbier

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• Travel Tips

Tourist Cards for Germany: Best Passes and Cards 2024

Learn more about the different tourist cards in Germany and spend less on your vacation while visiting the most interesting places in each city.

Carolina S.

January 1, 2024

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If Germany is your next stop and you would like to have a better traveling experience, then this post may be suitable for you. Today, we will describe the tourist cards for Germany , which will help you save money on your trip as well as guide you to some of the most attractive spots in the country.

There are many attractions in Germany, from villages and castles to big cities, museums, lakes, monuments, and breweries, among others. Plus, there are Christmas markets! And if you travel in December, the markets or “Weihnachtsmarkt” are an unavoidable tourist stop.

Germany is also world-famous for its beer given that for locals it’s a holy beverage, a fact that is proven by the large variety of beer they produce. This is why they hold the beer festival or “Oktoberfest” , but you probably already knew about that. So, stay with us to find out how to get the most out of your trip to the Teutonic lands.

Get internet abroad with a virtual SIM card

We recommend that you leave roaming behind and try a German eSIM for traveling to the country. Get 5% OFF. Code: MYESIMNOW5

What is a tourist card?

Firstly, let’s understand the concept. Do you know what a tourist card for Germany is or how it works ? Simply put, it is a pass or card that provides you with benefits such as free public transportation, discounts at museums, shows, restaurants, attractions, and much more.

You can buy these cards for special seasonal prices at vending machines, information spots, tourist stores, and even at some transportation stations.

What tourist cards can you use in Germany?

This will depend on the city you are in or the city you want to visit since tourist cards are regionally based . In the next section, we will highlight the most popular tourist cards that you can find depending on the city you are visiting:

Berlin Welcome Card

Surely, your first stop in Germany will be the city of Berlin , which is why we will kick off our list with the basic tourist card option in Germany.

With the Welcome Card , you get free public transportation around Berlin , discounts of up to 50% on some tourist sites, theaters, museums, bike tours, restaurants, palaces, guided tours, trips and even shopping in stores across the city.

To buy the card, you must choose the time of validity, ranging from 48 hours to 6 days. Prices go from $25 USD to $56 .

Berlin Welcome Card-Basic & All Inclusive

You can also get basic and All Inclusive tourist cards in Berlin. With the Basic Welcome Card , you’ll get discounts at more than 180 attractions in Berlin and Potsdam, but you won’t get a public transport pass to move around for free.

With the Welcome Card All Inclusive , you get to visit all the Berlin must-see attractions without a ticket, including bus tours, discounts of 25 to 50% at theaters, shopping, and restaurants, and free maps.

The cost of the basic tourist card starts at $10 , while the All Inclusive card begins at $79.

Munich Card

Now it’s time to talk about the city of Munich. In this region, tourist cards are also a great choice. With the Munich Card , you get tickets for local public transport, discounts at museums, exhibitions, attractions, guided tours, and restaurant deals.

You can get it at prices starting at $16 .

Munich City Pass

The Munich City Pass is the most versatile tourist card in the city because it provides free admission to museums, exhibitions, and attractions, as well as exclusive deals at the city’s most popular restaurants.

And best of all, the card gives you free admission to some of the attractions without queuing up.  Costs start at $39.90 .

Hamburg Card or Hamburg City Pass

You’ll also find two interesting options of tourist cards in Hamburg, which offer up to 50% discount on more than 150 attractions, free access to public transport, guided tours of key places around Hamburg, sports activities, and sightseeing tours around the city.

Prices depend on the duration of your stay but generally start at $11.90. Some of the most outstanding attractions covered by this pass include the Hamburger Kunsthalle, the Philharmonic, the Hamburg Dungeon, and the Miniatur Wunderland, among others.

Frankfurt City Pass or Frankfurt Card

The Frankfurt City Pass is the one that tourists are less familiar with, as it has fewer benefits. But if you are in the city, you could make the most of its advantages.

This tourist card provides discounts at more than 40 attractions, such as the Jewish Museum, Goethe House, the Maintower, the History Museum, and many more. Likewise, you also get unlimited free access to public transportation .

Two purchase options are available, the 1-day and 2-day pass, ranging in price from $11.50 to $17.00.

Comparison of tourist cards in Germany

Where to buy a tourist card in germany.

You can buy tourist cards in Germany without much trouble, as you can do it either on their tourism web pages or at the train stations, hotels, or tourist information points.

Buying a tourist card in Berlin

Buying a Berlin tourist card is quite easy and won’t take more than 5 minutes of your time. Why? Because you can find them at the city’s tourist information desks, public transport ticket vending machines, hotels, and even at the city’s tourist agencies.

Best tourist card in Munich

We recommend you buy the Munich Card because it’s the most convenient way to travel. You can get it in hotels, on tourism websites, and at the tourist information points of the central station and Marienplatz.

In case you prefer to buy the City Pass , you can do it at the above-mentioned spots and places.

Getting a tourist card in Hamburg

You can buy the Hamburg Tourist Card at the sightseeing websites, hotels, and information points.

Our recommendation is to buy a tourist card that includes different means of public transport, as it will provide you with a direct connection to the airport.

Finding a tourist card in Frankfurt am Main

To buy or find a tourist card for Frankfurt am Main , you must request it at the tourist offices, buy it at the train stations, or if you like, before traveling on the city’s different tourist websites.

How to use tourist cards in Germany?

Before you use the German tourist cards, you must validate your ticket at the ticket validation machines located in the different public transportation centers so that you can activate the card.

After validating, you just need to choose the transportation zone where you want to travel (downtown, outside the city limits, or in the outskirts such as Potsdam) and that’s it! You can start using your tourist card in Germany.

Remember!  You can only choose the transportation zone for the cards that include public transportation. If you want to make your trip even easier, we recommend you read about the 10 best Apps to travel around the world because you’ll find an ally in each one of them.

Germany Tourist Card for internet

Should you want to get internet and remain connected during your trip to Germany, we are pleased to tell you that there is a tourist card to have internet that provides you with wireless data from the moment you land. We are talking about the virtual SIM card or eSIM Germany from Holafly .

With Holafly’s Germany virtual SIM card, you’ll have unlimited data , and you’ll also be able to choose the best option according to your budget and length of stay. Did you know that if you travel to different countries in Europe, you can choose Holafly’s eSIM for Europe travel , which allows you to connect to 32 countries of the continent?

Buy your Holafly eSIM for Germany and enjoy the best data connection at 3G/4G/LTE speed . We invite you to check out our special section on how much data you need to travel , but with Holafly’s option, you won’t have to worry about that at all!

FAQs about German tourist cards

No. Tourist cards in Germany have a predetermined duration, which you can choose at the time of purchase.

No, there are no such cards for groups in Berlin. However, in other cities it’s available, and you may even find some discounts.

No. The price of the tourist cards is flat, whether you are a student or a senior citizen.

No. In Berlin, this is not applicable, so you’ll only find discounts of up to 50% on admission tickets. But in cities like Hamburg and Munich, you’ll find some free admission attractions.

This is a typical concern when traveling because each airline has different regulations on this issue, but generally, they share a common baseline of forbidden and allowed items. In our section on Backpack for airplane travel , you’ll find a detailed guide that will surely clear all your doubts. Also, if you are interested in how to have internet on the airplane , we can help you.

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